The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Here is the correct categorization of the phrases describing the Torah and the Talmud.
The Torah
- is known as the Five Books of Moses
- explains the story of Judaism
- includes God’s directions for worship
- includes a set of laws
- includes directions for life
The Talmud
- means ‘study’ or ‘learning’
- includes interpretations of laws
Explanation
The Torah and the Talmud are the two most important texts in Judaism, but they serve different functions. The Torah is the foundational text, while the Talmud is a comprehensive commentary and elaboration upon it.
The Torah, which means “teaching” or “instruction,” refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. For this reason, it is correctly identified as “the Five Books of Moses.” These books contain the foundational narrative of the Jewish people, covering creation, the patriarchs, the exodus from Egypt, and the receiving of the law at Mount Sinai. Therefore, the Torah “explains the story of Judaism.” As it is considered God’s revelation to Moses, it “includes God’s directions for worship” and provides the essential “directions for life.” Central to this text is the collection of 613 commandments that form the basis of Jewish law, which is why it “includes a set of laws.” It is the primary source, known as the Written Law.
The Talmud, on the other hand, is a record of rabbinic discussions and analysis of the Torah’s laws. Its name comes from the Hebrew word for “study” or “learning,” reflecting its nature as a scholarly work. The main purpose of the Talmud is to clarify, expand, and apply the laws from the Torah to new situations and the complexities of daily life. Consequently, its most accurate description is that it “includes interpretations of laws.” It is the main body of what is known as the Oral Law. While the Talmud also provides directions for life, its defining characteristic is its role as a massive work of legal interpretation, built upon the foundation laid by the Torah.
